Liverpool "don't need" to use frustration caused by Lucas Bergvall's contentious late winner for Tottenham as motivation ahead of their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg, Reds captain Virgil Van Dijk has said.

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has questioned the referee's decision to not hand Tottenham Hotspur's Lucas Bergvall a second yellow card before the 18-year-old scored the winning goal in the Carabao Cup semifinal between the side.

Virgil van Dijk confronted referee Stuart Attwell following Liverpool's defeat to Tottenham in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final after match-winner Lucas Bergvall avoided a sending off

The Belgian made a string of fine stops in the second half to keep the Reds at bay and earn his side a point. Van Dijk added: "We should have won, could have won but the reality is we take a point at a difficult ground, a difficult evening, in terms of the toughness of the game.

Virgil van Dijk has laughed off suggestions Liverpool find themselves in the midst of a "crisis". The Reds enjoyed a dominant start to life under new manager Arne Slot but have endured a clear downturn in form in recent weeks.

"They scored twice in the last 10 minutes so that is a great result for them," said Van Dijk. "I think they have been very good at home, so it is always going to be a tough game there.

Tottenham Hotspur battled Liverpool in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semifinal at home, but it was Spurs' mascots that stole the show.

With the minutes counting down to kick-off, Tottenham’s team of mascots could be seen waiting patiently in the tunnel when Liverpool captain Van Dijk came into view.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has dismissed suggestions the Premier League leaders are in crisis following Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest.

Virgil van Dijk was playing as Liverpool's only center-back at times against Nottingham Forest. But he is more than happy to do that if it gives the team the best chance.